Course Description: This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of American government, the American political process, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. This course will focus on the principles and beliefs upon which the United States was founded and on the structure, functions, and powers of government on the national, state, and local levels. A significant focus of this course on the U.S. Constitution, its underlying principles and the form of government it created. Based on the premise that analyzing current information is essential to an effective citizenry, this course asks students to research, compare, contrast, and think critically about government-related issues. Students will learn the ideals behind the American system of government, the mechanics of its operation, and will be encouraged to take their places as active, well informed, and independently thinking citizens in our country. The curriculum for this course was developed through the Standard] Aligned System in meeting both national and state standards in social studies.
The following topics will be discussed throughout the course:
Foundations of American Government
o Forms of Government
o Basic Concepts of Democracy
Origins of American Government
o Our Political Beginnings
o The coming of Independence
o The Declaration of Independence
o Creating and Ratifying the Constitution
The Constitution
o Basic Principles
o Formal Amendment
Federalism
o Powers Divided
o The National Government and the 50 States
Political Parties
o Parties and what they do
o Two-Party system in American History
o The Minor Parties
o Party Organization
Voting
o The Right to Vote
o Voter Qualifications
o Suffrage and Civil Rights
o Voter Behavior
Electoral Process
o Elections
Mass Media and Public Opinion
o The Formation of Public Opinion
o Measuring Public Opinion
The Legislative Branch
o The national Legislature
o The House of Representatives
o The Senate
o The Members of Congress
Powers of Congress
o The expressed Powers of [[#|Money]] and Commerce
o The Implied Powers
The Executive Branch
o The Presidency
o The President’s [[#|Job Description]]
o Presidential Succession and the Vice President
o The Presidential Election
The Judicial Branch
o The Federal Court System
o The National Judiciary
o The Supreme Court
Course Objectives At the end of the course student should be able to:
Understand the forces that impacted the founding of the United States
Demonstrate knowledge of the continuing impact of the Declaration of Independence in the U.S. and worldwide.
Understand the process of creating the U.S. Constitution.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles upon which the U.S. government is based.
Know sources of power and authority of the United States government.
Know how the U.S. Constitution seeks to prevent the abuse of power.
Understand tensions that exist between key principles of government in the United States.
Demonstrate understanding of how the different forms of government impact the social, political, and economic aspects of people’s lives.
Understand PA state and local government structure and political processes.
Understand the sovereign status of American Indian nations.
Understand the scope and limits of rights, the relationship among them, and how they are secured.
Know how citizenship is defined, established, and exercised and how it has changed over time.
Understand how public policy is made, enforced, and interpreted by the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Understand the role and influence of political processes and organizations.
Know how constitutional amendments and Supreme Court interpretations of the Constitution have increased the impact of the Constitution on people's lives.
Analyze the relationships and interactions between the United States and other nations and evaluate the role of the U.S. in world affairs.
Analyze various methods of civic engagement needed to fulfill responsibilities of a citizen of a republic.
Materials for class
Notebook
Folder
Writing Utensil
Pen or Pencil
Assessment
Classroom Participation
Wikispace Discussion Participation
Unit and Chapter Tests
Announced or unannounced quizzes
Individual and group projects
Presentation of student work
Journal Records
Mock Trials Participation
Classroom Procedures
There will be daily warm-ups at the start of every class. Students will begin the DO NOW daily warm-up as soon as class starts. These warm-ups will range from single answer to short essay and should not take longer than 5 minutes each day. All of the DO NOW warm-ups will be placed in classroom notebooks right below each day’s date. Each day’s warmup will be checked at the end of the week attempts completion. Absent students are responsible for getting the DO NOWS classmates.
Daily assignments will consist of taking notes, chapter assignments, media research, presentations, written work, small group work, short answer essays, class discussions, and individual/group projects.
Classroom Expectations
Rules 1. Respect 2. Responsibility
Follow and adhere to all school-wide rules, including no cell phones, electronics, language, dress code, food and drink
Academic honest will be enforced in this class
Be in your seat when the bell rings and start working on daily warm-ups
Grading Policies
Grades are based on a point system. All assignments will contribute to your overall grade. Assignments will vary in point value. Assignments include, but are not limited to, class work, warm-ups, homework assignments, projects, class participation, quizzes and tests.
District Grading Scale Students at the Elementary and Jr./Sr. High Schools will be graded according to this scale: A 100—92 B 91—83 C 82—74 D 73—65 Below 65 is failing
Missed Work Due to Absence:
Make up work due to an absence is your responsibility as a student. Please come to me to collect missed work. I will not track you down to give you assignments. An assignment due on the day a student is absent will be due the day the student returns to school.
Late Homework:
Late homework will receive a grade reduction if turned in after the due date. Late assignments will not be accepted after 1 week from the due date.
Instructor: Mr. Holzhauser
Course Description:
This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of American government, the American political process, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. This course will focus on the principles and beliefs upon which the United States was founded and on the structure, functions, and powers of government on the national, state, and local levels. A significant focus of this course on the U.S. Constitution, its underlying principles and the form of government it created.
Based on the premise that analyzing current information is essential to an effective citizenry, this course asks students to research, compare, contrast, and think critically about government-related issues. Students will learn the ideals behind the American system of government, the mechanics of its operation, and will be encouraged to take their places as active, well informed, and independently thinking citizens in our country.
The curriculum for this course was developed through the Standard] Aligned System in meeting both national and state standards in social studies.
The following topics will be discussed throughout the course:
Course Objectives
At the end of the course student should be able to:
Materials for class
Assessment
- Classroom Participation
- Wikispace Discussion Participation
- Unit and Chapter Tests
- Announced or unannounced quizzes
- Individual and group projects
- Presentation of student work
- Journal Records
- Mock Trials Participation
Classroom ProceduresClassroom Expectations
Rules
1. Respect
2. Responsibility
Grading Policies
- Grades are based on a point system. All assignments will contribute to your overall grade. Assignments will vary in point value. Assignments include, but are not limited to, class work, warm-ups, homework assignments, projects, class participation, quizzes and tests.
District Grading ScaleStudents at the Elementary and Jr./Sr. High Schools
will be graded according to this scale:
A 100—92
B 91—83
C 82—74
D 73—65
Below 65 is failing
Missed Work Due to Absence:
Late Homework:
Contact
PHONE EXTENSION 1320